Finding And Choosing A College
What variables should I consider when choosing a college?
Basically, there are a tremendous amount of selection factors that are involved in selecting a college. Certainly academic programs are one, but there are so many other things to consider: the size of the school, the geography, where the school is located. Do you want to be in a city, near a city, in a rural area? What's the politics of the campus? Is it faith-based? Do you want a co-ed school? What's the percentage of PhDs that are teaching? Are you being taught by teaching assistants, or graduate students, or full professors? So, there's a lot of variables to consider in selecting a college.
How should a school's location factor into my choice of college?
Choosing a college based on its location is a personal decision. If you do not mind being two or three hours from the nearest city, so be it. Some students come to me and they say, "I want to be in New York, I know I want to be in New York, that's the only place I want to be." That says a lot, and that's incorporated in their college list. Location is just a personal decision. If you're looking for internships, if you're looking to bridge out into the community a little more, you may want to be near or in a city, versus somebody who may just want to be involved and engrossed in their campus life, where that wouldn't really matter.
How should a school's class size factor into my choice of college?
There's a bit of self-reflection that's involved considering class sizes at a college, simply because people really have to get to know themselves and how they learn best. Some students are fine walking into a lecture hall that has three or four hundred people in it, and other students prefer having discussion-oriented classes. It's really a pretty important distinction. If students tend to fall asleep in lectures with large class sizes, and tune professors out, or don't become as involved in the course that way, then large universities may not be the answer for them. They may want smaller classes that have a better ratio.
How should a school's reputation factor into my choice of college?
Reputation is important when choosing a college, but I also think it needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Rankings, for example, are highly publicized in the media, but do people even know what those rankings are based on? Is it just an equation, or do they really talk about the academic programs? Or, is it just about the number of applicants? I think that reputation is something to be considered when choosing a college, but I don't think that it's the end all.
Do different schools have different academic admission requirements?
Absolutely yes. Sometimes I like to say that each school has an ego, because many schools have their own individual ways of doing their applications, their own set of requirements, and what they're looking for in their applicant. And so your answer is absolutely yes.
What is "tuition"?
Tuition is the cost of attending a university. It is exclusive of any miscellaneous expenses such as, housing, food, books, and so forth. Tuition is basically what the university charges to attend.
Besides tuition, what other costs will I incur during college?
Miscellaneous expenses can include, of course, your books that you'll need. Of course, you can sell those back, sometimes, at the end of the semester for, maybe, not as much as you paid for them but definitely get some money back if you want to sell some back. Food expenses. Different oganizations you may want to join. There may be a rec center. There may be a fee for that. There may be a fee for the computer lab. There may be a fee for, library fee of some sort. It seems like universities are good at tacking on extra fees. Other than that, just if you're living in a warm climate and you go to school in a cold climate you going to need a whole new set of clothes.
How should cost factor into my choice of college?
Basically, it's somewhat of a family decision. Although the student often will decide based on their visits and the research they've done on the school, and where they've been accepted and where they would like to go, families oftentimes play a huge role in this as well. And it's really what the family can afford to do, and what the student is willing to do. It's a huge factor. That's why some students choose to go to community college for two years: spend less, and then invest in a university for the last two years. When cost is no factor, families can spend up to $45,000 or $50,000 a year on their child's education.
How important is visiting a college that I'm considering?
College visits are very important. However, there are often times not entirely necessary until you're ready to make a decision. I definately think if it's possible at all it's important to go. I always use the analogy, as I say to teenagers "do you like to go shopping?" And if you never went shopping you wouldn't know what you like and don't like. And I often remind them that it's not just universities that are looking, they're looking too. They should oftentimes sign up for tours, interviews, information sessions, and definately go if they can. And if they can't afford to go far away, they should at least go in their areas. Even if they're not planning to apply to the school. They need to get on the campuses, walk around, get the feel for it, see what it's like. And I often suggest moving to away from the tours, because colleges market their schools. If you go to their websites you never see a rainy day. So you want to remember to bridge away from the tour a little bit, go to a dorm, ask students questions, get the real picture, hang out in front of the library, catch somebody coming or going, have lunch at the student union, talk to students. assert yourselve a little bit, find out what you can, and try to get a real picture.
What's a "college fair"?
College fairs are often groups of colleges that come together and rent out a large space such as a convention center in a large city and tables are set up. Admission officers are present. College representatives are present and they put out brochures for students. It's really quite a wonderful thing for students to expose themselves to different schools that way. First of all, it gives students experience in speaking to admissions officers. It gives students an opportunity to ask some important questions about specific schools. And it also gives admissions officers a chance to meet students face to face instead of just looking at a paper application or an online application.
What questions should I ask at a college fair?
Questions to ask at a college fair can incorporate any number of things. Certainly students should ask questions regarding academic programs about which they are interested. They can ask about housing. What percentage of students live on the campus? Is it a computer school? They can ask questions about cost at a college fair. They can ask about the campus life and the different opportunities that are available. They can ask questions about the counseling center and the health program. They can ask about the athletics and the school spirit at the school fair. It is really a very open ended forum.
